Instrument case



W. L. EGY

INSITRUMENT CASE April 13, 1943.

Filed April 1, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Wmaw 0B. 8,

attorneys Patented Apr. 13, 1943 f L 111293 1 "WSTB E F w ua q ln yfrrN.Y.,.assignorto W. a L. E. .GWl Tm LNtXvF rere en N w sA-pplicati'on-Aprill,1940 Serial No. 327,300

2 Claims. 101'. 206- 1') This invention relates to means for safely-carrying delicatedevices, particularly optical instru ments having delicateprecision bearings-y-for example, surveyors instruments? The embpdi mentof the invention in form foruse wan-a transit-has been chosen for'illustrationbecause this brings into play a"-rather-large number ofimportant factors:

Heretofore, two methods have been used in-ca's ing such instruments. Thefirst is to's crew -the instrument base on a block, set the clamps andfasten the block in the case: Th'e second method is" to place theinstrument in the-case with-a number of specially formed and preciselylocatedblocks which support it at critical points, so that no-clamps areset and 'theinstrument is protected from destructive stresses;-

g The first methodis; unsatisfactory because" it ofiers no'protection. 3The second is effective but is expensive and inconvenient. It requiresclose fittingandcareful-placement of the blocks. Swelling and shrinkageconsequent upon changes of atmospheric humidity are beyond reasonablelimits, and the use-of sectional blocks with adjusting means or springexpanders has not proved satisfactory.

The present invention provides a simple metal carrying yoke in which theinstrument is yieldingly supported by resilient confining pads whichengage and support the important components of the instrument. Thisaffords a safe means to carry the instrument uncased. The yoke mayreadily be so formed as to guide the instrument into a carrying case (ofwood or metal) and to fit the case when inserted. Thus, the casepositively positions the yoke and the yoke yieldingly supports theinstrument at all important points, so that it is protected againststresses which might be occasioned by rough'handling.

Application of the yoke and insertion of the yoke into the carrying casecan be easily and quickly performed. The instrument is better protectedand the expense is less than that of properly fitted blocks.

A typical embodiment for carrying a transit is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the complete yoke, latched.

Fig. 2 is a vertical axial section through the yoke of Fig. 1. Theinstrument is outlined in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, showing the yoke unlatched.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a carrying case with the lid-open andthe yokein place inthe case: The instrument is outlined in dotted lines;- and sFig. 5 is a section on the line 5-4; of Fig. 4. The yoke showncompletein Figi l is formed of a strong aluminum base alloy with pads of spongeor a cellular neoprene, that beingthe commercial name of a syntheticrubber substitute having better chemical and physical proper-- ties thanrubber, for this particular use. 1 --There is a cruciform plate basefi-withone long and-one shorter crosselement. The longer cross elementhas chamfered corners"?! at its opposite ends which fit'diagonallyopposite corners of the carrying case (seeFig.-4) -At one end is aclip'8having socket '9 and spring fingers H to hold a plumb-bob |2(-Fig.'2)-.-The shorter cross element has at-each outer end =two hinge lugs 13, topairs -of which are hinged the two vertical side-members and I 5;

These-are outwardly bowed at l 6 and I and bent inwardL At their endsthey--have matir1g-'h0oksl8 and [9. These hooks engage each otherclosely and rather deeply, so that when the two side members are latchedas shown in Fig. 1, they sustain one another against swinging on theirhinge lugs.

At the center of the base plate 6 is a pad 2| of cellular neoprene. Thisenters and rather closely fits the threaded recess in the base A of theinstrument (1. e., the lower member of the leveling head). The pad isdeeper than the recess and so holds base A above plate 6 (see Fig; 2)

Attached to corresponding side members l4 and I5 are longated cellularneoprene pads 22 which engage opposite sides of the base plate B of thetransit frame. This cushions from lateral shock the vertical axis of theinstrument which is carried by the upper member C of the leveling head.Such axis includes the quill which carries the horizontal limb and thevertical spindle on base B.

Higher up on members I4 and I5 are two pads 23 each recessed at 24 toreceive and confine a corresponding one of the trunnion bearings D forthe telescope E. The pads 23 thus sustain the upper end of the transitframe in all lateral directions, and since the trunnions positivelyspace the horizontal bearings, the pads 23 can be tightly clampedagainst the bearings. One pad engages the guard F which protects thevertical limb. The ends of the trunnions are exposed and project beyondtheir bearings so that the pads exert some frictional restraint inmotion of the telescope on the horizontal axis, by their engagement withthe ends of the trunnions.

To engage the hooks l8, l9 after the instrument is set on the base, itis necessary merely to spring the side members l4 and i5 toward eachother and cause the hooks to ride over each other and engage.

At such time, major structural components of the instrument areresiliently supported in a way that protects the frame structure and,consequently, the bearings and telescope carried thereby from shock. Theyoke offers at its top a convenient hand-hold.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the carrying case 25 is shown square inhorizontal section and has a hinged lid 26 which may be held closed byhooks 21. In two opposite corners are fixed triangular blocks 28, 29,notched at 3|, 32 to confine the bowed upper ends Hi, I! of the sidemembers I4, l5.

The base plate 6 rests on the bottom of the case and the chamfered endsI fit the side walls of the case closely near two opposite corners.Hence, it is positively positioned. The lid 25 engages the tops of bowsl5 and ,I'! which are laterally confined in notches 3|, 32. Thus, theyoke slides freely to position in the case and closure of the lidconfines it positively against motion relatively to the case.

A socket for a screw driver 3-3 is formed in block 29.

Details of form and dimension can be modified to suit particularinstruments, and adaptations can be made to suit instruments such astheodolites, levels and the like. The important thingis that the yokeengage the instrument frame in such a way as to protect bearings fromshock, and. cushion the entire instrument.

What is claimed is: l

1. Transporting means for an optical instrument of the type including abase, a frame sup ported by said base, anda telescope mounted in theframe on bearings, said transporting means comprising relatively movableand releasably connected base and side members forming a yoke adapted tobe clamped about the instrument; and at least two sets of resilient padssecured to the inner faces of the yoke forming members, one of whichsets of pads is positioned on the base of the yoke and cooperates withthe base of the instrument to support and laterally confine said base,and the other of which sets of pads comprises a pair which are opposedto each other and recessed on their opposed surfaces,

the last named pads being carried by said side members near the upperends thereof, the recesses serving to receive and confine the bearingsagainst upward and lateral movement.

2. Transporting means for an optical instrument of the type including abase, a frame rotatable thereon on a vertical axis and a telescopemounted on the frame on horizontal trunnion bearings, said transportingmeans comprising relativelymovable 1 and releasably connected base andside members forming a yoke adapted to be clamped about the instrument;and at least three sets of resilient pads secured to the'inner faces ofthe yoke forming members, one of which sets of pads is positioned on thebase of the yoke and cooperates with the base of the instrument tosupport and laterally confine said base, another of which sets of padsis medially positioned on said sidemembers and serves to confine theframe against lateral deflection near the horizontal plane of the upperend of the vertical axis of the instrument, and the third of which setsof pads comprises an opposed pair which are recessedon their opposedsurfaces, the last named pads being carried by said side members nearthe upper ends thereof, the recesses serving-to receive and confinethetrunnion bearings of the instrument against upward and lateralmotion.

WILLARD L. ,EGX.

